Posts - Page 33 of 59 - Altering Images of Mentality

10 Sep

Update from Time to Change – 10 September 2020

With children and young people heading back to school and university this month, we’re encouraging parents and carers to talk about mental health. We recently learnt that less than a third of parents have spoken to their child about their mental health since the start of the summer break.

That’s why we’ve created a brand new resource, designed to help parents and carers start conversations during challenging times.

In this update we’re also sharing Abbie’s blog with you, as today (10 September) marks World Suicide Prevention Day. Abbie discusses why it’s so important to break the stigma around suicidal feelings.

Read on to see what’s coming up over the next few weeks – there are lots of ways to get involved from home!

Back to school during coronavirus

Our new survey results show that almost half of 11-18 year olds are worried that returning to education will impact their mental health. We’ve created a brand new webpage with blogs and tips to help parents and carers start the conversation.

Read our tips >

Abbie’s story

For World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), Abbie explains how important it is to talk about suicidal feelings.

“It is not attention seeking. It’s more common than people may realise to have suicidal thoughts.”

Read the blog >

Introducing the global anti-stigma toolkit

The Time to Change Global programme partners have developed a new toolkit rooted in the voices of people taking action in Ghana, India, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. The toolkit shares ideas, materials and approaches to help change attitudes and behaviours in these locations – alongside powerful stories from inspiring Champions.

Check it out >

Share your thoughts on stigmatising media coverage

We know that the media has the power to influence public attitudes, which is why responsible reporting on mental health is so important. While we’ve come a long way in recent years, we sadly still see media coverage that fuels negative stereotypes.

We’re asking for your help to show how this type of coverage affects real people’s lives. Take our anonymous survey to share your thoughts and experiences.

Your responses will help us to challenge stigmatising media coverage and support journalists to report responsibly.

Take the survey >

Upcoming Events

10 OCT

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to start conversations about mental health and raise awareness. We’re calling on everyone to listen to people’s different experiences and help change the way we all think and act about mental health problems.

Get involved at home

Join a sketch challenge

Sketch to boost your mental health!
Join a 60-minute sketching challenge set to music, followed by an optional chat.

Move for mental health

Join the Blair Academy for a Zoom dance and discussion about mental health. This session is designed for young people.

Share our tweet

If a friend opens up about their mental health, how you respond can make all the difference. Our message is: take it seriously, listen and ask questions.

08 Sep

Domestic Abuse – New Report and Article

Women’s Aid released a new report this week, A Perfect Storm – The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic abuse survivors and the services supporting them. The report shows how domestic abuse has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines the impact on survivors; how abusers are using the pandemic as a tool of abuse; and how the services supporting survivors are affected.

To read the report click here.

Information Now have also published an article with local and national help and support for those experiencing domestic abuse: Domestic abuse sources of support

08 Sep

Fairer Sick Pay – Mind Campaign

We should all be able to take time off work when we are unwell.

The sick pay system isn’t working for people with mental health problems. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum employers must pay us when we’re off sick. It is just £95.85 a week, and not available until your fourth day of sickness absence. This risks plunging us into poverty, leaving us with the impossible choice between taking care of our mental health or being able to pay bills or buy food.

A fairer system is possible. Earlier this year, the UK Government made legal changes so that anyone with coronavirus could access SSP immediately. They saw that making people wait risked forcing people to work when they were unwell.

We’re urging the UK Government to extend its changes to SSP so that we can all take time off work when unwell, whatever our illness or condition.

Can you tweet Justin Tomlinson, the Minister in charge, to ask him to make these changes?

Tweet Justin Tomlinson

In March we handed in an open letter signed by thousands of you calling for reform of SSP, but we are still waiting for action.

We know the UK Government are making decisions right now about the future of sick pay. We need to make sure the Minister in charge hears from you whilst they’re making these big decisions which will affect thousands of people.

Send my tweet

We need a system where we can receive sick pay from the first day we’re off sick and which matches the minimum wage.

Take care,

Nancy

P.S. If you don’t have a twitter account let us know and we can send you an alternative way to have your voice heard.

06 Sep

Update from the Employers Team at Time to Change – 24 August 2020

Employer guide on responding to coronavirus

Mind have designed a guide to support organisations to tailor existing workplace interventions to support the mental health of their staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

The guide provides practical examples and recommendations that can be adapted to workplaces of any sector or size.

Download now >

Reaching Out

New survey: Workplace wellbeing

Mind want to ensure that its Workplace Wellbeing programmes, products and services are meeting your needs.

If your role includes supporting staff wellbeing, please take this new 10 minute survey and share it with your network to help us support you better.

Take the survey >

Employer Stories

Laing O’Rourke bring their best selves

It has been over four years since Laing O’Rourke started thinking about how they could improve the mental health of their employees.

Click below to find out how the company’s long-term investment in employee wellbeing has created a workplace where everyone can be their best selves.

Stories from our key workers

Here at Mind, we’ve heard from many key workers about how they have been dealing with their mental health during the pandemic. From nurses to physiotherapists to shopkeepers, the pandemic has changed the lives of those on the front line in many ways. We wanted to take some time to share what the last few months have been like for some of our key workers.

Coping with anxiety after Covid-19: A nurse’s story

“I couldn’t sleep through fear of not waking up.”

Jess had never experienced mental health problems, until she caught Covid-19 when working in intensive care. She blogged about the impact it has had on her life.

Peer Talk resumes North Tyneside support group – 16 September 2020

Wednesday 16 September 7pm to 8.30pm at Whitley Bay Big Local
Peer Talk’s peer support group for those living with depression, anxiety and related conditions is returning to North Tyneside. There is no need to book and the event is free to all. If you have any queries, call/text/WhatsApp 07719 562 617 or email enquiries@peertalk.org.uk. For more information on the group’s coronavirus policies and procedures, please read here

05 Sep

The Great North Run Reimagined

The Great North Run cancellation means we can’t all get together to run the famous 13.1 mile route on 13 September, so they’ve launched Great North Run Reimagined – a campaign to ensure runners and charities can still mark the occasion. Deadline for entries: Wednesday 9 September. Read more and sign up here

04 Sep

Dedicated Chatroom for Women Affected by Gambling Harms

GamCare is hosting an online group chatroom session aimed at women, or those who identify as female, who are affected by gambling related harms on Saturday 12^th September from 7pm – 8pm.

GamCare provides daily chatroom sessions for people affected by gambling harms via its website, giving users a space to connect with peers, share their experiences and support one another with help from a GamCare adviser if needed.

Women can be disproportionately negatively impacted by gambling related harms, which include financial, relationship and mental health issues. GamCare is running this session for any women who are affected by gambling, whether they are the gambler, or a family member or friend.

Anyone who would like to join in this session will need to register via the GamCare website ahead of time: gamcare.org.uk/register/

To join the chatroom when registered, visit gamcare.org.uk/get-support/group-chatroom/ on 12^th September from 7pm

04 Sep

Volunteer Buddies needed!

VODA are looking to recruit more Good Neighbours Volunteer Buddies to support North Tyneside residents who have been shielding. The buddy roles have been designed to support people who may be feeling anxious about taking their first steps back into the world after many months shielding at home, often on their own.

Garden Gate Buddy for socially distanced garden / doorstep friendly chats
Walking Buddy to help people to enjoy the outdoors on a socially distanced walk
Shopping Buddy to support people with their first shopping trips after shielding

This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of local people.`

03 Sep

Sectioned in a Pandemic – Mind Video

Being sectioned under the Mental Health Act is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to someone. It means being held against your will, usually in hospital, with little or no say over what happens to you.

Whilst you’re under a section, a panel of people called a Tribunal, can assess how you’re doing to decide if you can be discharged from your section.

But Tribunals have moved to video and telephone hearings during the pandemic. It’s making it much more difficult for people to make their case. It means fewer patients are attending their hearings and some spend longer in hospital than necessary. My colleague Vicki explains this in our video.

Watch our video

In 2018 an independent review made over 150 recommendations to reform the Mental Health Act. The Act is decades out of date and it’s discriminatory.

We haven’t seen any action from the UK Government, and we’re tired of waiting. Peoples’ lives depend on this.

We need to see the Government’s response to the Mental Health Act review now. We won’t be keeping quiet.

Take care,

Nancy